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I was fortunate to get a big law SA position for this summer. My firm is located several hours away from hometown and where I go to law school. I start tomorrow, but I already am missing home terribly. In fact, I was second guessing my decision to accept the position throughout the year. The only reason I accepted was b/c it was the only big law offer I received. I already know that I would strongly consider declining a permanent offer if afforded one just b/c I want to go back home.

Am I crazy for feeling this way? I just know that for me personally at this point it is not about the money. However, if I were to decline a potential permanent offer, are my job prospects completely doomed? If it matters, I go to a T40 school and am median. Any advice from people who have been in this position and returned home would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

swampman wrote:Are there firms in your hometown? Why didn't you apply there in the first place?

Also do you live with your parents?

I did apply to several firms in my hometown but didn't get any offers. I applied to this firm on a whim, and got a job offer. Granted, I kind of gave up on the job search after I got this offer. I thought I would be okay with leaving but have strongly regretted my decision ever since.

Although I do not live with my parents they were nearby and see them a few times a week.

Probably just the yips, unless you also went to UG in your home town and have legitimate anxiety issues which even if that was the case, you should probably medicate and try to get over it. Or turn down the offer and try to find work in your home market. Whatever. Doesn't sound like too serious a problem. It's only 10-12 weeks.

My opinion is that you should try to embrace the SA this summer. Many people leave 'home' / families move / work takes them to new places. It is normal for an adult to do so. That said, I completely respect a personal preference to be close to the familiar and to the family. But--I think you should at least experience leaving before deciding to stay at home (presumably) for the foreseeable future (rest of your life?). It's 8-12 weeks to experience something new, confirm to yourself that you do indeed prefer to be closer to home.

The beginning will surely be the toughest as you adjust. Also - several hours from home, driving, is still very closeby.

You're in an extremely fortunate position. Not only did you get biglaw when the odds were against you, but you got it only a few hours driving from the city where you ideally want to live. Many people end up 6 hours flying time away from their hometowns, which they miss terribly. Do the SA, get the offer, and then work there for a year before you start looking (while continuing to work there) in your hometown. It's much easier to get legal jobs in the locations you want when you have experience to offer, especially if that experience is with a well known firm. And I have a feeling that once you live in the other city for a bit you'll realize that being only a few hours from home isn't at all a big deal. Maybe you'll like it there, but if you don't, nothing wrong with going back on the weekends over the summer, and once or twice a month when you're an associate. If you don't take the SA, the difference between where your career would be if you did is astronomical.

Missing home terribly? Have you never lived anywhere else? Welcome to being an adult. Tons of people live thousands of miles away from their families for years on end (I did this in my mid-late twenties before LS, would see my family about twice a year), and you're complaining about a summer job because it's a few hours away? I have a hard time believing you're actually serious, but if so a summer away is something you desperately need.

Anonymous User wrote:Missing home terribly? Have you never lived anywhere else? Welcome to being an adult. Tons of people live thousands of miles away from their families for years on end (I did this in my mid-late twenties before LS, would see my family about twice a year), and you're complaining about a summer job because it's a few hours away? I have a hard time believing you're actually serious, but if so a summer away is something you desperately need.